POLICE COMMISSION.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12860, 28 August 1909, Page 5

POLICE COMMISSION.

(Per United Press Association). .AUCKLAND, August 27. The Hon. J. McGowan, who gave evidence before the Police Commission today, gave the following reason why, in his opinion, there is a difficulty in securing and enroling new men in the force. "With tho formation ot so many unions and making of so many Arbitration awards, the rate of wages has gone up much higher than it was. The result is that men prefer to go in for manual labour. The principle of increasing wages by arb'trat'on awards is, in my opinion, an unsound one. If the price ot labour is put above its' economic value, something must happen. While the country prospers it is all right, but wit'i a time of depression, there will be a very different state of affairs and we must suffer. I think that this has some bearing on the present scarcity of candidates for the police force." Mr H. W. Northcroft, S.M., gave evidence. Questioned by Constable Donovan in regard to his allegation that political influence had. been used to get his removal from Coromandei, Mr Nortbcroft said that he believed that hotelkeepers at Coromandol thought a constable too strict and petitioned for his reiiioval. One of the hotelkeepers did come forward as a Parliamentary candidate and then retired before the election. Mr Northcroft went on to say that there was one thing he desired to refer to, and that was the incident in which a constable criticised the manner in which an Auckland Magistrate conducted his Court. It reflectsd seriously upon the discipline in the force. Mr Bishop — "I thing the whole thing is greatly to be regretted." Mr Northcroft — "It made my hair stand on end when I read about it." Mr Bishop — "You had an instance just as bad when the constables held a meeting in Wellington to criticise this Commission. They should be treated with the contempt they deserve— just as I treated the Wellington meeting with the contempt that it deserved. .Forty of them assembled there and criticised me." Mr Northcroft— "Yes. I suppose they will be drawing up the sentences next." Constable Leonard stated that he was present at the meeting of police constables. The question that came u~ was in regard to constables being kept at Court. No Magistrate's name was mentioned and it was decided that no action should be taken without referring the matter to the inspector and ascertaining his opinion in regard to what time should be allowed off for attendance at Court. Mr Bishop. — "Oh! that alters the posi tion of affairs and takes away the reflection which would otherwise fall on the men of the force. T. Wake, an ex-member of the police force, suggested that the system of emolmneilis V>e done awa T wltY>_ The police did all these, things in police time. It often happened that the police did not have enough to keep them going. It was too monotonous for him and so he got out of the service. The emoluments were altogether "too soft a thing." Constable McKay, formerly of Wellington, complained of having been fined at Wellington (without being heard m his defence) for an offence which he denied committing. Mr Bishop, said he would inquire into the matter in Wellington. Sergeant Ramsay denied that there was any complaint against him In Christchurch, or that he had been moved from Christchurch for any particular reason, as bad been asserted by Mr T. E. Taylor, M.P. Mr Taylor had an old grievance against him because he refused to give evidence, against Inspector Emerson in 1898. Mr Dinnie — "Mr Taylor- has not come forward to make me eat my -words, as he said he would." The Commission adjourned till Monday.